Posh striker currently leading the way with more goals in the league and the FA Cup than anyone else in the top four divisions.
Peterborough United front man Jack Marriott took his goal tally to 17 in all competitions with a brace, his first since August, in the 5-2 victory over National League side Woking at the ABAX Stadium as Posh set up a trip to Championship side Aston Villa in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup.
The former Ipswich Town and Luton Town striker admitted he was ‘annoyed’ that he didn’t take more of the chances that came his way in a pulsating cup-tie, but was delighted to surpass his target for this stage of the season with a goal in each half against a spirited Woking side.
“I should have scored six if I am being honest. I have to put them out of my mind or I will be beating myself up for days about the missed chances. You shouldn’t really be disappointed when you score two, but I set myself high standards and it is frustrating when I fall short of them. You have to be mentally strong, if you miss a chance you have to put it out of your mind and take the next one.
“You can’t dwell on chances, I have done that before in my career and I have gone games without a goal and that is because I am beating myself up about that specific opportunity. In a game, you have to focus on what comes next.
“I have 17 goals now and I could not have dreamed that it would of gone this well. I have high expectations, I want to continue scoring goals and helping the team climb the table. That is our focus now, to pick some points up in the league games and close the gap on the teams above us in the table,” Marriott said.
Posh fell behind to Woking inside the opening 20 minutes, but battled back to lead at the break thanks to goals from Michael Doughty and Jack himself. Second half goals from Marcus Maddison and Gwion Edwards, along with the second Marriott strike sealed a comfortable victory in the end.
“The main thing is that we are into round three of the FA Cup. We had to do a job in the replay and we got the job done. We conceded first and all that was going through my mind was ‘get the next goal’, it was so early in the game and there was so much time left and we got a good equaliser through Michael Doughty.
“We had the disallowed goal, then they went straight down the other end and made it 2-2 but we showed good character to get ourselves back in front again. I guess it was the magic of the cup and any neutral watching the tie would have loved the entertainment on show. And I enjoyed being a part of it,” Marriott added.
Of course, a wonderful few months has been capped by the birth of his first child. Marriott is loving life as a new father and praised his partner for her ‘phenomenal’ work. “It was the best feeling in the world and is the best feeling in the world to be a father. My Mrs has been incredible. On the nights before a game she has been absolutely phenomenal. She knows I am in an intense job and she understands the game I am involved in. She has allowed me to have the energy to round around and score a few goals.”